Going to America

Posted by: Fisbey on 06 May 2004

I've been offered a trip to the good ol USA very soon (in a couple of weeks, for work), which I think I'll probably take (three or four weeks), change of scenery and all that.

Apart from stocking up my 'wardrobe', I'd like (obviously) to get a few CD's - it's been a few years since I've been, so what are the 'rules' with respect to buying CD's that I can play here?
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Bhoyo
No rules, Fisbey. They're the same. DVDs, however, are a different story.

Where in the States will you be?

Davie
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Fisbey
Just outsiode LA - a place called Woodland Hills.

Are there any limits as to how many CD's I can bring back - if I go?
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Geoff P
"Just outside" LA is relative. It is a BIIIGGG place. For example from Woodland Hills to Newport beach is approxm 150 miles.

How are you getting to Woodland Hills from the airport. Taxi or Rental car?

What sort of number of CD's did you have in mind? A large suitcase full?

Whatever quantity you buy keep the receipts which show you paid Sales Tax in California on them. I regulalrly bring back as many as 50 about 3 times a year but I am brutal with the plastic jewel cases. I throw them away and put the CD's in those Case Logic paastic sleeves, with the disk in one side and the book of info in the other side.

have a good time
GEOFF
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Justin
Why are you thinking of buying a boatlaod of cd's in the states? Do we have titles that you cannot get in the uk?

What's the skinny on this.

Judd
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by ejl
The Hollywood Amoeba is worth visiting, and in some ways better than the famous Haight St. store in SF. They claim to have the largest selection of used CDs in the world, and given what I saw on a visit last month, that may be true.

http://www.amoebamusic.com/

If you like LPs, check out Record Finders in L.A. too.

Your compatriots may know better, but I think that you'll get whacked for a lot of duties, VAT, or whatever if you bring a big pile of CDs with you back to the UK. It might make sense to mail them all in small bundles to yourself from the states. Use "media rate" for cheapest postage.
Posted on: 06 May 2004 by Justin
quote:
Originally posted by alexgerrard:


The main reason I bought lots of stuff in the US was the price difference - CDs seemed to cost USD10 over there, and GBP12 over here. That's half price, given the exchange rate.

ag


$10US is pretty cheap over here. I usually pay about $13 to $18 for a CD (new releases are usually about $17US at our local Borders).

Still, cheaper than 12 pounds - I'll grant you.

Judd
Posted on: 07 May 2004 by Geoff P
Yep.

Justins prices are what you have to pay in the Bay area whether it's Borders (specialist Book/Music superstores),Best Buy (Alladins cave of home electronics) or Frys (Alladins cave of home computing and software).

regards
GEOFF
Posted on: 07 May 2004 by greeny
quote:
$10US is pretty cheap over here. I usually pay about $13 to $18 for a CD (new releases are usually about $17US at our local Borders).



last time I went I bought nothing as the $15->$18 that was typically being asked was little cheaper than the UK. I very seldom pay more than £10 fro a new release in the UK, and usually £8.99 online, so importing at $15-$18 is just not worth it.